Saturday, October 24, 2009

And these are the scans, for the curious, or the learned who can interpret.(click on the image for a detailed view)

The Doc said, according to the scan, everything is normal.So do I have diabetes?Blood glucose test result was 7.9 mmol/L (143 mg/dL)Technically, yes I do. The acceptable threshold being 7.

But this is way below the 19 mmol/L that shocked both me and my GP last week. This was the reason for the scan and further blood tests. Just 2 months ago in August, the blood glucose was OK at 110 mg/dL (6 mmol/L). What made it shoot up to 19 in a matter of 2 months?Glucose level 19 meant severe renal problems which , thank God, I don't have.Was the previous test result faulty? not likely as it came from a reliable test lab.

My own take on the episode was that prior to the blood test which I did 2 weeks ago, I had indulged somewhat in larger intake of sweet stuff during the past week. These included milkshakes, Andersen ice cream (their booth is just outside my office!), and lattes and cappuccinos from Coffebean. I am sure these contributed to the high glucose readings as a result. My own fault I guess.

During this past week, while being prescribed Glipizide to lower the blood sugar, I had also cut out all sugary and starchy foods. Diet had changed immediately and I have lost 2 kgs in weight already.

Next is to get the feet moving outdoors for more exercise. That is the tough part!Stay in touch for more updates on my health.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

I went for my regular medical check-up last week.I used to have high cholesterol levels and slightly elevated BP.The results of the blood test showed that my cholesterol was 179 - normal;and BP at 130/80, also normal for my age.

However, to my horror, blood sugar had shot up to an unacceptable level since my last test 2 months ago. So my GP sent for a HBS scan, whatever that medical jargon is. Scan of the liver, kidney, pancreas and spleen.

This is the scan, anyone can read?

Following up with my GP this coming Thursday.Return here for an update next week.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

I subscribe to an internet forum based in Thailand whose main purpose is to chat on things happening in Phuket. Recently, postings on the forum were aboutcertain pharmaceutical products available at Thai pharmacies. ahem, what I mean are those little helpful blue tablets for men who may have some difficulties.

The danger with those bought without a doctor's prescription may be that the tablets are counterfeit. A year ago in Singapore, men were being hospitalised for using illegally obtained pills called Power 1 Walnut, amongst other names. (Read article here). These virility pills contained substances meant for treatment of diabetes, and those hapless guys who took them suffered drastic drop in blood pressure. It's a good reason to obtain only genuine medicines from your doctor or pharmacist.

In the forum discussion it was made known that some pharmaceuticals from India were being sold over the counter without prescription. This was possible because India does not subscribe to medical copyrights and manufactures genuine drugs in its generic form.

I was in Phuket last week when I popped into a local pharmacy to buy insect bite cream. Casually, and out of curiosity, I inquired if they sold Viagra, and correctly they told me that a prescription from a doctor was required. OK, good, I was relieved that the pharmacies were still highly ethical.

But then immediately, the pharmacist offered me the generic Indian product called Kamagra.She said that this could be sold without a prescription and is consider an OTC (over the counter) drug and not a controlled medicine. WOW! She even introduced the latest gel based derivative. At only 100 baht (abt S$2 ) per sachet, it was equivalent to a 100mg Viagra tablet which costs S$20. Made by the giant Ajanta Pharmaceutical firm in India.

Ha ha. Ethics vs economics, tough choice. Did I buy? you wonder.I confess, yes I did. More as souvenirs for my colleagues back in the office.Have I tried it yet? truthfully, NO. Same with my colleagues who are still waiting for each other to start! really funny, each waiting to see who might drop dead first.